PBA: E-Painters big win over Beermen a boost for deep playoff run

Andrei Caracut leads Rain or Shine Elasto Painters past San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Coach Yeng Guiao was in a jolly mood after Rain or Shine finally found a way to contain June Mar Fajardo and San Miguel Beer during their crucial win in the PBA Governors’ Cup group stage.

“Were you praying for that?” Guiao said in jest when the Inquirer reminded him of what he said prior to the ElastoPainters’ 122-112 win over the Beermen Thursday night at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Guiao previously poked fun at his team’s underdog status against the Beermen, saying that the E-Painters will likely fall by at least 80 points after San Miguel had drubbed Barangay Ginebra by 49 a few nights before.

Not only did Rain or Shine avoid that, it was able to beat San Miguel convincingly to regain sole possession of the Group B lead with a 7-2 record.

Another win and Rain or Shine will cement that spot in the crossover quarterfinals against the fourth placer of Group A in a best-of-five affair.

“It’s really a confidence-booster, and at the same time, it could give you a better chance of going deep in the playoffs,” said Guiao, whose wards face the Blackwater Bossing on Monday.

San Miguel fell into a tie with Ginebra for second in the group at 6-3, also holding the edge in the quotient system. For the Beermen, the odds of getting No. 1 are low going into their last group stage match Saturday with the Bossing at Ninoy.

San Miguel’s best chance is to forge a three-way tie at 7-3 with Rain or Shine and Ginebra, which plays NLEX on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra is no longer assured of finishing first in the group, and has an outside chance of placing second. For that to occur, San Miguel should lose to Blackwater and the Gin Kings should beat the Road Warriors.

Group B’s No. 2 team will meet the third place squad from Group A while the No. 3 from Group B takes on the No. 2 from Group A.

Meralco is running second in Group A at 6-3, Converge has a 5-4 mark while Magnolia was staking its 4-4 slate with 3-5 NorthPort at press time.

A win by Magnolia puts the Hotshots and the FiberXers in the quarters and eliminates the Batang Pier in the process.

NLEX was facing Phoenix also at press time, with the goal of gaining closer to the quarters. The Road Warriors came into the contest tied for fourth with the Bossing at 3-4 in Group B.

Only one quarters spot is at stake in that group.